System and method for information handling system floor tile cooling airflow measurement

Abstract

External airflow rates from floor vents that provide chilled air to information handling systems are measured with a disposable tool to ensure compatibility of the information handling systems' external air cooling constraints with the cooling capacity of the floor vents. For instance, an information handling system manufacturer sends a disposable tool formed from a cardboard box to a user location. The tool has an open bottom to fit over a floor vent and a slat cut in a side surface to move in response to airflow that enters at the bottom. Pre-calibrated markings associated with expected airflow rates for information handling system cooling floor vents measure airflow rates by the degree of slat movement so that the user location and manufacturer may confer to confirm the compatibility of the user location cooling capacity with selected information handling systems.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates in general to the field of information handling system cooling, and more particularly to a system and method for information handling system floor tile cooling airflow measurement. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and / or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much info...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] Therefore a need has arisen for a system and method which measures information handling system floor vent cooling airflow with reduced complexity and expense.

[0008] In accordance with the present invention, a system and method are provided which substantially reduce the disadvantages and problems associated with previous methods and systems for measuring information handling system floor vent cooling airflow. A disposable airflow measurement tool determines the airflow rate from a floor vent to determine whether cooling constraints of information handling systems placed proximate the floor vent are met.

[0010] The present invention provides a number of important technical advantages. One example of an important technical advantage is that information handling system floor vent cooling airflow is measured in an inexpensive and simple manner to aid in adequate distribution of chilled air to multiple information handling systems distributed across multiple floor vents. Simplified measurements achieved with tools designed around measuring flow rates associated with information handling system floor vents encourages information technology administrators to consider cooling constraints in the selection and purchase of information handling systems. Measurement of cooling airflow rates with a disposable tool provided by an information handling system manufacturer improves information the technology administrator information handling system purchasing experience. The disposable tool imposes minimal cost and adds the convenience of direct consultations with the manufacturer about cooling constraints before purchase without the disruption of an outside vendor taking airflow measurements in sensitive areas.

Problems solved by technology

However, large concentrations of information handling systems in relatively small areas generally results in heat build-up that decreases system performance and, if excessive, leads to system failure.

One difficulty that arises with the delivery of chilled air to information handling systems is the distribution of the chilled air through multiple floor vents.

Imbalanced delivery of cooling airflow introduces the risk of damage to information handling systems through overheating where airflow is deficient and increases cooling expense where systems receive excessive cooling airflow.

However, these measuring devices tend to be expensive and complex.

For instance, a floor hood device used to measure airflow in the HVAC industry tends to cause backpressure at the vent, which reduces the cooling airflow so that complex computations are often needed to determine the actual airflow of the vent when unimpeded by the hood device.

Other devices, such as hot wire anemometers, are also available but tend to involve the same types of complexity and expense.

Thus, the task of managing flow rates from floor vents is often beyond the skill set of typical information technology administrators.

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